In China's premium SUV market, models like the AITO M9 and Li Auto L9 have already secured significant positions with their advantages in electrification and intelligent features. However, the "million-dollar luxury SUV" segment has long been dominated by ultra-luxury brands like Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Enter the ZEEKR 9X, dubbed the "Hangzhou Bay Cullinan," set to reshape this landscape. With dimensions rivaling top-tier luxury SUVs and breakthroughs in powertrain, autonomous driving, and charging efficiency, the ZEEKR 9X is poised as Geely's ultimate weapon to penetrate the high-end market.
According to official information, the ZEEKR 9X will debut on July 9 at the ZEEKR Technology Launch Event and is slated for a Q3 release. The flagship "Glory Edition" of the ZEEKR 9X is expected to start at around $139,300. But how impressive is the ZEEKR 9X? Let's delve into its features across multiple dimensions.
Striking Design and Luxurious Interior
The ZEEKR 9X continues the brand's design language, incorporating more luxury and tech elements. With dimensions of 5239×2029×1819mm and a wheelbase of 3169mm, the SUV offers ample interior space and commanding road presence. The front fascia features a chrome grille akin to the ZEEKR 009 Glory Edition, paired with a luminous 3D crystal-logo, enhancing both luxury and brand recognition. Split headlights integrate intelligent light interaction capabilities, while the 2.15-square-meter clamshell hood uses hinges capable of supporting 120kg, showcasing advanced manufacturing precision.
The side profile is inspired by the "land yacht" design philosophy, with a 31.5-degree A-pillar angle balancing third-row headroom and a low drag coefficient of 0.29Cd. Complementing this are a floating roof, 23-inch hollow-spoke wheels, and hidden door handles for optimized aerodynamics. The rear features a segmented ring-shaped tail light with 168 individually controlled LED beads, capable of dynamic welcome and brake energy projection functions, demonstrating cutting-edge lighting technology.
Inside, the ZEEKR 9X boasts a 17.3-inch 3K floating touchscreen paired with a 21.6-inch AR-HUD for dual-screen interaction. Running on ZEEKR OS 5.0, it supports AI voice assistant and multimodal gesture controls. Standard models offer 6- or 7-seat configurations, while the Glory Edition opts for a 4-seat executive layout with second-row bio-based zero-gravity seats featuring 18-way electric adjustments. Combined with a 32-speaker Yamaha audio system and an intelligent fragrance system, the ZEEKR 9X delivers a cabin experience akin to a private cinema.
Potential for L3 Autonomous Driving and Cutting-Edge Hybrid Powertrain
Intelligent driving is a core strength of the ZEEKR 9X. Equipped with the ZEEKR "Thousand Miles H9" smart driving suite, hardware includes five lidar sensors (one front and four side), 11 high-definition cameras, and five millimeter-wave radars. Powered by dual NVIDIA Thor domain controllers with 1400 TOPS computing capacity, the system creates a comprehensive 360-degree perception network. Upgraded with "End-to-End Plus Technology Architecture" and MLM multimodal language models, the system is L3-level autonomous driving-ready. Compared to competitors, ZEEKR 9X demonstrates significant advantages in perception hardware.
Under the hood, the ZEEKR 9X employs a 900V high-voltage hybrid architecture featuring a 2.0T turbocharged engine paired with dual electric motors. Together, this system produces a combined output of 898 horsepower and 1280 Nm of torque, allowing this 3.1-ton SUV to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 3 seconds with a top speed of 240 km/h. Additionally, the vehicle features a 48V active electronic anti-roll bar, dual-chamber air suspension, and dual-valve CCD magnetic dampers, enabling a 110mm height increase and a maximum ground clearance of 288mm for superior cornering and off-road capabilities.
In terms of range, the SUV is powered by a 6C ultra-fast charging battery, offering a pure electric range of 380km on the CLTC cycle and a total range of 1020km. Charging from 20% to 80% takes just 9 minutes. Its 800V/900V dual-voltage platform supports third-party fast-charging facilities, while full-speed parallel drive technology ensures robust performance at high speeds.
Market Analysis: Opportunities and Challenges
In the competitive landscape, the ZEEKR 9X faces both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, the growing popularity of NEVs and increasing acceptance of domestic high-end EVs bolster its prospects. On the other hand, ZEEKR's status as an emerging luxury brand necessitates overcoming brand recognition hurdles. Compared to traditional luxury competitors, the ZEEKR 9X stands out with its intelligent and electrification technologies. Expected pricing for the standard version remains below $139,300, positioning it as a "million-dollar features at a more approachable price" contender. However, regulatory limitations on L3 autonomous driving and intense market competition from brands like AITO and Li Auto, alongside rapid innovations from suppliers like Huawei and CATL, pose challenges.
Overall, the ZEEKR 9X, with its exceptional product capabilities—including leading power performance, intelligent driving technologies, and luxury features—is well-positioned to carve out a new competitive niche in the million-dollar luxury SUV market. If ZEEKR successfully navigates branding, regulatory adaptation, and market challenges, this model may become a significant milestone in the high-end transformation of China's automotive industry.